Tagged: ftc

FTC Cracks Down on AI Chatbots and Student Loan Scams

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is intensifying its oversight of emerging technologies and persistent financial frauds. The agency has launched a sweeping inquiry into AI chatbots that function as digital companions, while recently securing settlements that permanently ban operators of a notorious student loan forgiveness… Read More

FTC Cracks Down on E-Commerce Violations : Temu Faces Penalty, Gig Workers Receive Refunds

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recently taken decisive action against deceptive practices in the e-commerce and gig economy sectors, signaling a commitment to protecting consumers and ensuring fair business practices. Three significant cases highlight the agency’s efforts to address violations, ranging from inadequate seller… Read More

FTC Chair Cautions US Tech Firms on Compliance with UK and EU Digital Laws

In a recent statement, Andrew Ferguson, Chairman of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), issued a stern warning to American technology companies regarding their compliance with new online safety regulations in the United Kingdom and European Union. Ferguson emphasized that adhering to these foreign laws… Read More

FTC Cracks Down on Scams : Impersonation Fraud Surges, E-Commerce Scheme Banned, and Refunds Issued for Student Loan Victims

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been actively combating fraudulent schemes that exploit vulnerable consumers, as highlighted by three recent announcements. These updates underscore a troubling rise in impersonation scams, a permanent ban on an e-commerce business opportunity scheme, and refunds for victims of a… Read More

FTC Highlights Actions to Protect Consumers from Impersonation Scams that Resulted in Losses Totaling $2.95B in 2024

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted actions taken to protect consumers from impersonations scams since the Government and Business Impersonation Rule took effect in April 2024. Scams impersonating businesses and government are consistently among the top frauds reported to the FTC; these scams resulted in… Read More

Cleo AI to Pay $17M As Result of FTC Lawsuit Charging Firm “Deceived” Consumers

Online cash advance company Cleo AI has agreed to pay $17 million to settle the Federal Trade Commission’s allegations that the company allegedly “deceived” consumers about “how much money they could get and how fast that money could be available.” The complaint, filed in federal… Read More

US Consumers Reported Losing Over $12.5B to Fraudulent Schemes in 2024 – FTC Data

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently revealed that US consumers reported losing more than $12.5 billion to fraudulent schemes in 2024. This latest figure from the FTC marks a significant 25% increase from the previous year, highlighting a concerning escalation in financial losses despite ongoing… Read More

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) Worries About Trump Administration Continuing Biden’s Merger Guidelines at FTC

The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) is concerned about the Trump Administration’s policy of keeping its predecessor merger guidelines. In a public statement, the SBE Council said that “arbitrary and muddy guidelines”  pursued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) harm opportunities for early-stage firms… Read More

US Department of Justice Files Complaint Against Fintech Firm Dave, CEO Jason Wilk Alleging “Deceptive” Practices in Violation of Federal Law

The US Department of Justice (DOJ), together with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), announced a civil enforcement action against Dave Inc. and its co-founder, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Jason Wilk, for alleged violations of the FTC Act and… Read More

Solidgate CEO Says FTC “Click-to-Cancel” Rule an Industry Wake-Up Call

The  FTC’s new “click-to-cancel” rule, designed to simplify the process of ending subscriptions, has created a stir, putting additional pressure on subscription businesses to reassess their strategies. Research from payment processor Solidgate suggests the problem is dire. Solidgate surveyed 1,000 adults and found that 25%… Read More

FTC Reportedly Sends Over $2.5M to Consumers Allegedly “Deceived” by Credit Karma’s “False” Pre-Approved Credit Offers

The Federal Trade Commission revealed recently that it is sending more than $2.5 million to consumers who were said to be “misled” by “deceptive claims” from credit services company Credit Karma. The FTC reportedly took action against Credit Karma back in 2022, alleging that the… Read More

FTC Warns of Charity Scams Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton

In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, individuals nationwide are contributing to storm relief efforts, with many making monetary donations to charities claiming to assist affected communities. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is urging the public to exercise caution to avoid falling victim to… Read More

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Action Leads to Permanent Bans for Fraudsters Behind “Credit Repair” Pyramid Scheme

As a result of a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit, the owners and operators of a sprawling credit repair operation known as Financial Education Services (FES) will end the practices that the FTC alleged “created a pyramid scheme and also violated the Credit Repair Organizations Act.”… Read More

FTC, DOJ, International Enforcers Release Statement on AI Competition Issues

FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, alongside international antitrust enforcers and the Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, issued a statement affirming a commitment “to protecting competition across the artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem to ensure effective competition that provides fair and honest treatment for both consumers and… Read More

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Law Enforcement Actions Reportedly Resulted in Over $324M in Refunds to Consumers Last Year

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) law enforcement actions have reportedly resulted in more than $324 million in refunds to consumers in 2023, the agency said in its annual report on refunds. The FTC Annual Report on Refunds to Consumers provides “a breakdown of the total amount… Read More

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Reveals that Amazon and PayPal Are Companies Scammers Impersonate Most Often

Data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shows that Best Buy/Geek Squad, Amazon, and PayPal are the companies people report scammers impersonating most often. A newly released data spotlight shows that in 2023, consumers “submitted about 52,000 reports about scammers impersonating Best Buy or its… Read More

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Shares Updates Including Response to Rise of AI and Algorithmic Decision-Making Tools

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released its Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report outlining the agency’s work to protect consumers and promote competition. FTC Chair Lina M. Khan said: “The FTC is focused on ensuring that American consumers, workers, and entrepreneurs can enjoy honest markets and… Read More

Blockchain Analytics Firm Chainalysis Shares Insights on Tracking On-Chain Activities of Suspected FTC Impersonators

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently issued a key notice, warning consumers of scammers impersonating FTC staff members in “attempts to steal money from innocent victims.” Blockchain firm Chainalysis has analyzed these developments in a comprehensive update. According to the FTC, these scammers typically “fabricate… Read More

Bill Payment Fintech doxo Rails Against FTC Suit

This week doxo, a Fintech providing bill-paying services, railed against a lawsuit filed by the U.S Federal Trade Commission,  saying the complaint “indicates a fundamental misunderstanding of the existing bill-pay market and the structural inefficiencies that work against consumers.” In a release, doxo said the… Read More

Federal Trade Commission Takes Action Against Bill Payment Firm for Allegedly “Misleading” Consumers, Tacking on Millions in Junk Fees

The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against bill payment company Doxo and two of its co-founders, charging that the company allegedly “uses misleading search ads to impersonate consumers’ billers and deceptive design practices to mislead consumers about millions of dollars in junk fees they… Read More

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